Posture of the Month: Goddess Pose with a Twist

Goddess Pose, with its low, wide stance, is a powerful pose for taking up space. Amy Cuddy’s research showed that simply posing in powerful positions, like the classic Wonder Woman pose, showed physiological changes that affected self-concept and risk-taking. Goddess Pose is an excellent choice if you are looking to build energy before a situation that might make you nervous, like a work presentation or important meeting.

Goddess Pose also offers the opportunity to lengthen the muscles that attached to the pelvis and hip and builds strength in the lower extremity.

Goddess with a Twist is an adaptation of the basic Goddess pose. Often found in dance class warm-ups, this is one of my go-to stretches before and after running, especially when you are trying to create more room for yourself in the corrals. 😉

Try Goddess with a Twist

Start in Five Pointed Star with your legs wider than hip distance apart

Turn the legs out a little bit from the top of the thighs

Bend your knees, sending your knees back and over the second toe

Place your hands just above your knees

Keep your spine long as you rotate to one side

Breathe here then switch to the other side

Why choose Goddess with a Twist?

Goddess with a Twist offers many benefits:

Increases tissue excursion in the abdomen that might have been decreased due to adhesions or after surgery

Offers rotation at the thoracolumbar junction. This is where the mid and low back meet and where the diaphragm inserts.